Answered by:

WMP 12 - Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file (C00D11B1)

Question

I am having difficulty playing the majority of .avi files in WMP 12. Upon opening the video I get the error "Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file". When I click the web help link, this is what the site says:

Windows Media Player C00D11B1
Windows Media Player can't play the file.
Things to try:
•Use Windows Update, or go to the sound device manufacturer's website to see if an updated driver is available.
•Use Device Manager to check the status of your sound device.
To check the status of your sound device
Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Manage.
In the left pane, click Device Manager.
In the right pane, expand Sound, video and game controllers, and then look for the name of your sound device.
Do one of the following:
If your sound device is listed but the icon includes a red "X," the device has been disabled. To enable the device, right-click the icon, and then click Enable.
If your sound device isn't listed, in the right pane, expand Other devices. If Multimedia Audio Controller appears in the list, right-click the icon, and then click Update Driver Software. Follow the on-screen instructions to find and install the driver software.
If you aren't able to find and install the correct driver software, go to your computer manufacturer's or sound device manufacturer's website for further assistance.
•If you don't have a sound device installed on your computer, install a sound device, and then try to play the file again. For details, go to your computer manufacturer's or sound device manufacturer's website.
•If you're trying to play a file on the Internet, try again later. The server might be temporarily unavailable or there might be a network issue.
•If you're trying to play an MP3 file that contains compressed ID3 headers, make a copy of the file, and then use a non-Microsoft ID3 tag-editing program to remove or reset the file's ID3 headers.
The ID3 header is a portion of the file that stores the song's album information (for example, the song name, artist name, album name, and genre). This information is sometimes called a tag. After you remove the ID3 headers, Windows Media Player should be able to play the MP3 file.
Warning
Attempting to remove ID3 headers might damage the file and make it unplayable. Therefore, always make a copy of the file before you edit it.

Upon looking in device management there are no errors pertaining to my sound card/devices. If I try to update the driver it tells me that I am already running the best driver. I have looked around on Google and have come across no solutions that have
helped me fix this error. What is weird is that WMP will play about two or three of the .AVIs out of the folder they are in, but will throw the error message on the rest of them. I have the K-LITE codec pack installed.

Note:
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. If you aren't logged in as an administrator, you can only change settings that apply to your user
account. Before you make changes to a registry key or subkey, we recommend that you export, or make a backup copy, of the key or subkey. You can save the backup copy to a location
you specify, such as a folder on your hard disk or a removable storage device. If you make changes that you want to undo, you can import the backup copy.

Note:
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. If you aren't logged in as an administrator, you can only change settings that apply to your user
account. Before you make changes to a registry key or subkey, we recommend that you export, or make a backup copy, of the key or subkey. You can save the backup copy to a location
you specify, such as a folder on your hard disk or a removable storage device. If you make changes that you want to undo, you can import the backup copy.

Dale your a genius! I tried hundreds of different ways to try to get my media player to work and by following your instructions its finally working! not only that but my itunes wasn't working with the same problem and thanks to you thats working too! thank
you very much!

Microsoft is conducting an online survey to understand your opinion of the Technet Web site. If you choose to participate, the online survey will be presented to you when you leave the Technet Web site.